Obamacare breaks record for enrollees: 21.3 million insured

About 21.3 million people signed up The Affordable Care Act, popularly known as Obamacare, markets health insurance through the marketplace, the White House announced in a statement Wednesday.

Registrations have increased by 5 million compared to last year, record for the third year in a row. According to Biden administration officials, the increase is due to some states “eliminating” pandemic-era protections in Medicaid, leaving millions of people excluded from the health care program.

approx A quarter of people opting for the plan are new customers.

Enrollment statistics Obamacare shows nearly 80% increase in enrollment since President Biden takes office in 2021 And extended subsidies are available to consumers.

“The American people have made it clear: They don’t want the Affordable Care Act weakened and repealed, they want it strengthened and protected,” Biden said in a statement.

Biden has taken several steps to improve Obamacare’s appeal, including strengthening federal premium subsidies through 2025 and allowing more families to qualify for assistance.

Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra told CNN that the increase in insurance enrollment is explained by the fact that 4 in 5 people can find plans with monthly premiums of $10 or less, after subsidies.

The comprehensive health program, which included marketplaces for consumers to shop for health coverage, federal incentives for states to expand Medicaid, and protections for people with pre-existing health conditions, was considered one of former President Barack Obama’s most notable achievements.

After its passage in 2010, Republicans campaigned on promises to “repeal Obamacare.” The program has survived several attempts to repeal it during Trump’s four years in office, and congressional Republicans have been cautious about renewing their efforts to reform it because polls on the issue strongly favor Democrats.

According to surveys by KFF, a health policy research group, 6 in 10 Americans have a favorable opinion of the program. The Washington Post.

And one reason for its growing popularity is the expansion of Medicaid, which is separate from private insurance sold in the marketplaces and has helped low-income people access health care.